Bylines

Rachel Shelden

All Content Related to This Author

The Political Supreme Court: A Forgotten History

Viewing 1–5 of 5 written by Rachel Shelden

Rain clouds roll over the United States Supreme Court building on June 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.

For Most of Its History, the Supreme Court Didn’t Pretend to Be Apolitical

Early Supreme Court justices were openly political, shaping laws and campaigns, with Dred Scott revealing the Court's limited authority.

by Rachel Shelden via Talking Points Memo on June 30, 2026

1880 chart of American political history

Historians and the Strange, Fluid World of 19th-Century Politics

Why our understanding of the era has been hindered by the party system model.

by Rachel Shelden, Erik B. Alexander via Process: A Blog for American History on May 7, 2024

The Electoral Commission of 1877 holding a secret session by candle-light.

The Electoral Count Act Is Broken. Fixing It Requires Knowing How It Became Law.

Trump tried to exploit flaws that were embedded in the law from the start.

by Rachel Shelden, Erik B. Alexander via Made By History on October 8, 2021

Republicans Rediscover the Dangers of Selling Bunk to Their Constituents

Cynical public speech aimed at winning political power has consequences.

by Rachel Shelden via The Atlantic on November 25, 2020

The Supreme Court Used To Be Openly Political. It Traded Partisanship For Power.

The idea that justices exist outside of politics is a relatively new concept.

by Rachel Shelden via Washington Post on September 25, 2020

brought to you by

© Bunk History